circuitice | CALL ME OUT

[ he laughs ]

Do you have some free time, tonight?

[ a significant pause. diluc looks. ]

I may be. [ ... ] For an old friend.

I'd love to catch up. If you're willing to call me an 'old friend.'

[ an ironic lilt of his eyebrow: ] If you are still willing to call yourself such.

[ ... ] It has been some time, Kaeya.

It has been.

[ he inclines his head ]

15 years, give or take?

[ he shoves his hands in his pockets as he starts to walk on, bypassing the club, even if that was his original destination. it wasn't the right one for this fateful encounter. ]

I didn't think I'd ever see you again.

[ kaeya walks. diluc's feet still - and then, in increments, he follows. it is a reversal, he knows. it has always been diluc who walked on past the grapevines, and kaeya who trotted behind him. but those days were long passed. fifteen years, give or take - diluc has not counted them, but tonight, the weight of the years wash back.

he shakes his head. what does it mean, then, that they did see each other again? ]

... I didn't either. [ diluc says, softly, into the night. his strides take him to kaeya's side, however. he walks. his nose wrinkles. ] You smell of alcohol and smoke.

Ah, is it that bad?

[ he asks lightly, not allowing himself to look back at Diluc. ]

I suppose I need to get this jacket dry-cleaned, then.

[ he hums thoughtfully, his voice light, unashamed. this is who he is, and there was nothing to hide from. And then, that refrain settled in his head, he allows him to look back at Diluc. admire the lines of his body and how he carries himself-- even if he still struggles to get that red mane under control. ]

I missed it.

[ what 'it' is, doesn't need to be vocalized ]

[ a thin sliver of moonlight, like that of a spider's silk thread. it descends from the crescent of the moon above. it slides down kaeya's back, his silhouette framed between the shadows of two skyscrapers. chiaroscuro, diluc thinks, the art of light and shadow. kaeya's expression is unclear; kaeya's expression could not be more clear. he stands there like a fragment of time returned, and diluc thinks -

it has been too long. ]

... I didn't think you were alive.

[ only under this moon can diluc admit such a thing. because if he had known, if he had even thought, after crepus' death and the descent of violence thereafter, he would have looked.

diluc should have looked. ]

[ his expression softens, that thought somehow comforting. at least he had been blissfully unaware for that long-- long enough that Kaeya thinks it was lucky. For him, for Diluc. Who knows what would have happened if Diluc knew or hoped he was alive. ]

Well, all the more reason to catch up, don't you think?

[ he says as though from the moment he saw that flash of red, he hadn't indulged in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. As though he hadn't immediately knew that his plans of booze and cheap cigarettes were out the window.

did Diluc even have any clue? probably not.

but that was okay. he didn't need to. ]

[ it makes too much sense. diluc is wary of anything that makes too much sense. in a way, the city has made paranoia into form, a shadow of substance that haunts and nips and bleeds. diluc looks at kaeya. slowly, he shakes his head - but his answer is sure: ]

Would you be amenable to a late-night dinner?

Is this an impromptu date, Master Ragnvindr~?

[ he teases as he turns more towards him, taking a step backwards to keep the forward pace going ]

[ the barest flinch of an eyebrow. ]

If this is a date, are you not to call me 'Diluc'?

[ he sees the tension. notes it, and plays as though he didn't. ]

Diluc, then. Or maybe just Luc, huh?

[ but it wasn't a denial. and Kaeya would push his luck as far as he could go. ]

[ ... it truly has been some time. diluc is silent. kae, he remembers. kae. ]

... where do you want to eat.

[ it is, in fact, a concession, though diluc wouldn't go so far as to call it defeat. ]

This way.

[ he inclines his head as he turns around, falling in step beside him. ]

I'm so charmed.

[ diluc breathes out - it is a breath much in the way of a sigh. but he begins to steer them. the glitz of night shines along its streets; it is late, but not late enough for those seeking excitement. ]

You were out alone, then?

Mmhm.

I had plans, but I doubt my absence will be noted.

[ he guides them down the street, and cuts through alleyways, fearless of any potential dangers.

aware that he would rather spend time with the man he hasn't seen for years, a practical stranger. that the buzzing of his cell phone has already stopped. ]

But I'm curious-- you seem to be out alone too. I'm not interrupting anything, am I?

[ plans. vague, but not unexpected. diluc has long since lost the right to ask such a thing. ]

My business has concluded for the night. [ he says, because it is the truth. ] You had a call, however; did you not need to take it?

Ahhh, no.

If it's important, they'll leave a message, I assume.

[ he glances back at him, wanting to pry into "business." But, he isn't sure he'd receive the truth. not now, anyway. ]

Your concern for the caller is touching, but I was hoping you would prefer I talk to you?

I was not about to invite your caller to dinner.

[ a soft breath, in the way of an amused scoff. but diluc follows kaeya, his steps as sure as they had been fifteen years ago. ] Though if your caller happens to show up at the restaurant of your choice, it is hardly within my control.

And mine.

[ but he doubts they would. when he finally gets to the spot, it's more of a cafe-- something good for later night drinks and sandwiches.

the sort of place where you might see people working, or playing games, or just existing.

it's quiet. because Kaeya doesn't want noise. he wants a glass of wine, and to continue this conversation in peace. ]

Here. Unless you disapprove?

[ a cafe. diluc observes the ambience - night, spilling through the quiet windows. the drowsy attendant by the counter, a late night salaryman perched over a laptop in the corner. a place that opens late, and therefore will serve alcohol. diluc, who has three exclusive clubs on speeddial, and who owns a chain of high-end restaurants specialising in specialty wines sourced from his international conglomerate, cants his head. it suits. it has an atmosphere and suits tonight.

because he is diluc, he is the one who identifies a seat by the window; he pulls out the chair facing the door for kaeya, and settles himself only after his companion has seated. the attendant brings the menu, diluc glances over it, and quirks an eyebrow from across the table. ]

Recommendations?

I'm fond of the pizza.

[ he nods at the staff-- they recognize him. it's simple, easy. it's a place away from his usual haunts, with none of the same connotations. and he wants to keep it that way.

and so he rests his cheek on the palm of his hand as he studies Diluc. ]

Diluc, why are you taking me out on a date?

[ pizza, then. diluc looks at kaeya from across the table. he puts in an order - a margarita pizza. wine, of a notable mondstadian brand, especially notable for its lack of crossover with dawn winery. and then, after a moment, a glass of grape juice for himself.

he passes the menu over. diluc considers the question. he observes the line of kaeya's palm, the cant of his head - and allows his own head dip in turn. ]

To catch up; and to see how you are. [ an echo of what was said. ] Like you said, it has been fifteen years. Though I expect the start of this conversation to be awkward; it hard to discern where to begin.

I see.

[ he lets those words hang in the air, their weight and promise vs. the silence while he studies Diluc's eyes, watches his head dip. unflinching, his eye searching the man before him as a selfish plan takes root in his mind, like the thorniest of blackberry weeds. ]

Well, my life is humble.

[ he says, gesturing his other hand around. ]

I wouldn't know where to start, honestly. Meanwhile, the only time I get to see you are the rare quotes to the papers.

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